Tours

Trek to a Frozen Dzukou Valley

Kohima, Nagaland, India.

Places covered

• Kohima, Jakhama, Viswema, Dzuko Valley

Itinerary

• Day1:
  Soak in the Angami Air
  Gather and meet at Kohima War Cemetery
  The trip begins here. We meet at Kohima War Cemetery by 11 am. The memorial remembers the bloodshed of 917 soldiers who died during the altercation with the Japanese during World War II. It’s a known place in the city and won’t be difficult to find. The photographers in the group can capture the neatly maintained memorial. Perfect place to do aerial photography.
  Taste the Naga Cuisine
  After exploring the War Cemetery, we head for lunch in the nearby local restaurants to taste the authentic Naga cuisine. Non-vegetarians can try their tongues on fresh servings of snails, silkworms, frogs, worms cooked the Naga way at Chingtsuong Restaurant.
  Vegetarians can head for pure veg. Yaotsu’s Veggie Table Restaurant, known for delicious South Indian and Chinese cuisine.
  *This meal will not be covered by us.
  Street walk around Kohima Market and City
  Now that all of us has eaten the hunger away, it’s time to step in the city and explore. A street walk through the city to the markets of Kohima will give you the best chance to flow with the Angami air.
  Faces, compact cozy wooden houses, rainbow gardens, the narrow-lane underground markets, allies leading to the scenic view of Kohima, a photographer’s delight. Shop the local Naga Dao, the Naga Shawl, bamboo shoots, and the best souvenirs you can pick up from Kohima.
  Head to Camp Yedikha
  After the city walk, we head to our campsite in Jakhama village. We will have Sumos pick us up and drop at the Campsite. Enjoy the beautiful 1 hour drive and after settling in the tents, enjoy the view on offer from the campsite, sipping hot laal chaa with samosas.
  Explore Jakhama- Village Walk
  Post snacks, we go to village walking in Jakhama. The village has a very serene feel about it. We will have guides taking us through the village while narrating the history of the village. Walk around, capture Jakhama, meet the locals and if luck sticks around get invited for meals as well.
  Get together and have fun sitting beside the stream. Splash up or get drenched, it’s your time to breathe and see the sun setting over Jakhama.
  Dine and stargaze
  Veg. And Non-veg meals for all, sip on some rice beer let the food settle in and stargaze lying down in your tent. A night to remember, to share with your grandkids!
  Highlights*
  Meet Point- Kohima War Cemetery.
  Lunch- Naga cuisine in Kohima.
  Dinner- Veg Thali- Rice, Dal, two vegetables, Salad, Papad and some organic leaf salad
  Non-veg. Thali- Rice, Dal, Bhaji, Chicken/Pork/Beef (Indian-Naga style), Papad, Salad and some organic Leaf Salad.
  Drive Time- 1 hour from Kohima to the Campsite.|
  
  
  Day 2:
  Dzukou CALLING!
  
  Wake up for Dzukou
  Today is the day to visit the alien bamboo land, Dzukou Valley. We have to be up early and ready by 7 am. It’s best that we start our trek early so that we have more time spent in the valley. Breakfast at the campsite and we charge on the sumos waiting for us.
  Pack light, we are going for a trek not for War!
  Ride to the starting point of the trek-
  The ride from the campsite to the starting point of the trek, Viswema will take about an hour depending on the conditions of the road on climb. Enjoy the mist following you and capture the green mountains holding back the clouds.
  Trek to Dzukou
  The trek to Dzukou will take maximum 5 hours considering the first time and slow trekkers. It starts with a 45-minute hike to the view point. It’s a bit steep, slippery climb up the stairs. Large beautiful canopies around, with evergreen moss, covered trees and pitcher plat around for an hour.
  Reach the viewpoint and soak in the fresh air, sadly very rare these days. The valley starts here. What follows now is a straight trail along the sea of bamboos. The trek should not take more than 3 hours, but considering the weather the trail might leave its mark on your shoes. Walk, look around, stand, breathe, soak in! Let Dzukou be your guide.
  Rest and Lunch at the Dormitory
  Our next halt will be the dormitory, which offers a beautiful view of the valley. Relax your calves, stretch out and energize yourself with hot cuppa Noodles and Naga style Fried Rice. You can also buy Maggie, egg, and meals available at the kitchen near the dormitory. There are washrooms, feel free to ease out.
  Admire the sunset with Laal Cha
  Admire the sunset from the helipad (a short trail of 10 minutes from the dorm.) In evening, have dinner and enjoy the night sky full of stars.
  Sleep tight, it will be COLD.
  Highlights*
  Wake up Call- 6 am.
  Breakfast- Bread-Butter/Jam, Boiled egg, Banana, Chai, Biscuits, and Namkeen.
  Lunch- Cuppa Noodles and Bread-Butter.
  Dinner- Veg: Dal, Rice, Beans and Potato Bhaji.
  Drive Time- Campsite to Viswema starting point will take 1 hour.
  Trek Time- Maximum 5 hours (considering first-time trekkers and slow trekkers)|
  
  Day 3:
  Third Day, (N MEZA! See you soon)
  
  Wake up and Head to the Valley
  Wake up by 5 am to catch the sunrise in the valley. So far you have been admiring the valley from the hills; it’s time to head into the valley. The trail down takes about 1 hour. Walk through the mist, look around the dead trees in the middle of the green bamboo sea, Live!
  Walk on the frozen river and experience the valley wrapped under a white blanket. Pack well it will be cold.
  Breakfast and start the trek back
  Reach the dormitory, have Wai Wai and Laal Chaa for breakfast and start the trek back by 10 am. Walk back but don’t forget to look back, these are the last moments you share with the valley. Bid farewell and reach the starting point of Viswema trek where our Sumos will be waiting to your rescue.
  Reach Campsite and hog on Puri Bhaji
  An hour ride back and some hot delicious Puri Bhaji awaits you at the campsite. Freshen up before you set out for Kohima and eventually your overnight train.
  Highlights*
  Wake up Call- 7 am.
  Breakfast- WaiWai and Laal Chaa.
  Lunch- Puri Bhaji
  Drive Time- Viswema starting point to Campsite will take 1 hour.
  Campsite to NST, Kohima will take 1 hour.
  Trek Time- Maximum 5 hours to the endpoint. (considering first-time trekkers and slow trekkers)

Inclusion

• All accommodations on twin sharing basis in tents at Camp Yedikha.
  Sleeping bags, sleeping mats, pillows
  Meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner for the days mentioned.
  Bonfire.
  Hygienic toilets for men and women.
  Bathing rooms.
  Guide for Dzukou overnight trek.
  Overnight camping cost in Dzukou valley.
  Transport from Kohima to Kohima.
  Transport from ChaloHoppo Village/Camp Yedikha to Viswema trek point and back.
  Electricity source with charging facility for mobile devices at the campsite
  Running water supply at the campsite.

Exclusion

• Airfare charges
  All food & beverages cost apart from the ones mentioned above
  Entry fee to any monuments etc if any
  Any camera fees
  Campsite staff tips (if any)
  Any personal expenditure (Toiletries, medicines, etc.)
  Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.
  Potters hired for personal use.
  Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Inclusions”.

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